4-V 




lictareSdue. 

\White.Tkm S , N.Y 



III 



LtS 



trated i> 



7 



John "Rosck- 



hT 1 







Class f - 

Book dtifcpd 



(Ut\itf Plains 




Yon\ 



illustrated by 
John ttosch 



Trice 50 Cts. 



s*~ 






Copyright and Published 1^02 
By JOHN ROSCH, 
White Plains, N. Y. 




^ White *Plainj, JV. y. *=> 



S "The apparel oft proclaims the man," so the name of a place- usually has some relation to 
its situation, commemorates some important event in its history, or is given in honor ol its 
J|»j! founder or benefactor. Such, however, is not the case with White Plains, for with singular 
infelicity of designation our forefathers selected a name entirely without significance and 
wholly misleading. 

The stranger, hearing it spoken of, naturally pictures to himself the monotony of the prairie 
without its vastness, or the flats of Holland unrelieved by the picturesque windmill or the sluggish canal. 

What, then, is the true topography of this village? Nestling among the rugged hills of old West- 
chester, with scarcely a level spot within its borders, it bears, as viewed from the south, a striking resem- 




VIEW FROM HII.I.AIK. 



blance to the beautiful city of Florence, the leaf- 
clad heights in the distance suggesting the cool 
shades of the Vallombrosia, the crystal Bronx 
representing the "Tawny Arno," and the stately 
Court House reproducing the Italian villa. 

If you would get a correct idea of its altitude 
and of the beauty of the surrounding country, 
stand on tin- great portico ol the residence of Mr. 
(). R. Harriman, Jr., or on the site of Mr. Paul G. 
Thebaud's new home. Hillair, and look about you. 

Par below, in the valley, the Mamaroneck 
River pursues its tortuous course to the sea 
through an apparently unbroken forest, and be- 
yond is the broad expanse of "The Sound" and 
the Long Island shore stretching to the east and 




ox THE BRI 'NX 



t. until its outline gradually fades away and disappears. To your right is a panorama of hills 
lied in by the Palisadi 

to "Hill Cr«.-st" or "Ophir Castle.'" an entirely different scene presents itself, one 
that will make the Englishman feel quite at home as he views the rich rolling meadows, and the tall 
church spire- rising from among the trees 

Do not be content with contemplating nature from afar. C'>me nearer and see what a rich floral 
-ton.- she has here. As you return from your office, weary and worn with the struggle of the day, s] K - 
comes out to meet you and extend a grateful welcome 




...i i. 



le, right into the heart of the village, she lias stationed a guard of Hemlocks to 

h her beautiful Bronx, clothing them with ermine and studding them with jewels in Winter. 

and in th g tipping every hranehlet with a tassel of golden green. The silver-barked Beeches 

ind interlace their protecting branches above the rippling stream. Look to the 
left an of lovely I'inks on the western slope, and a little higher up. note the great 

my whiti Do d rising one above the other. Later in the season you will find the 

ted with i Rod and the orange colored Butterfly Plant. But, if you would hold 

still with Nature, visit her in her virgin home up anion- "The Hills," on the steep 

■ may he found the rare flora of this latitude, many of them unknown 

The hillsides are covered witli Laurel and the Link A/alia. In the shade of 

found the Monotropa, the yellow and the pink Moccasin Flower, and several varieties 




RIDGEI/Z MANOR. 



RESIDENCE OF OLIVER HARRIMAN, Jl; 



of dainty Orchid. Up among the rocks the Arbutus, that harbinger of Spring, peeps out from among 
the withered leaves before the snow has taken its final leave. 

Here, too, may be heard the bark of the fox, the drumming of the partridge, and at twilight, the 
wail of the whipporwill. 

All this within a radius of three miles from the station, which can be reached in thirty-five minutes 
from 42c! Street. 

"As all roads led to Rome," so 
all roads in Westchester County lead 
to White Plains, and the converse of 
the proposition, which is more im- 
portant for our present purpose, is 
that roads radiate from it in all direc- 
tions, bringing its residents in touch 
with all parts of the County. And 
this is one of the very attractive 
features of the place. At most sea- 
side resorts there are but one or two 
fine drives, but here one may drive 
over an entirely new road, with new 
surroundings and new scenes day 
after daw and make endless combi- 
nations extending the distance from 
five to twenty-five miles at pleasure. 
Yonkers, " Sunny Side,"' Sleepy Hol- 
low, the parks and princely mansions broadway. looking south. 





BROADWAY LOOKING NORTHWEST 







of Miss Gould and Mr. \\"m. Rocke- 
feller, are all within easy driving 
distance to the west. In the opposite 
direction, at no greater distance, are 
Larchmont, < >rienta, Rye Beach and 
Belle Haven, the Newport of Con- 
necticut. If you prefer farm, w I- 

land and lake scenery, take the 
State n>ad along the base of the 
precipitous rocks of Mount Mi 
and Kensico Reservoir, cross the 
\alley to Kin^ Street, return by 

way of Rye Lake and St. Mary's 
Lake, and yon have primitive farm 
life and '" hits " of lake and mountain 
view, worthy of the Adirondack; 
the Maine w ilderness 

Within the village much atten- 
tion is given to the adornment and 

of the lawns and the street 



fence is rapidly becoming a thing of 
the past. The most striking feature 

of all. and one that surprises the 
stranger and calls forth expressions 
of admiration, is Broadway, which 
was originally the one and only 
street of the town. Fifty years ago 
the County buildings, churches, 
stores, as well as the principal resi- 
dences were here. This was White 
Plains. Xow there is not an office 
or place of business to be found on 
it. A mile in length it gradually 
rises for two-thirds of the distance 
and then gently tails away. From 
a width of roo feet at the upper 
end it widens out to more than v ,() 
Feet at the lower. Fine old trees 
shade the walks and drives and are 
scattered singly or in groups over 




BRi 'A I WAT. 




SOLDIERS' MONUMENT ON BROADWAY. 

5 




KKSIPKNCK OF R E FARLEY 



the broad green. During the past 

Summer the roadways have been 

curbed, guttered and macadamized. 

Double approaches have been made 

to tin.- principal intersecting streets, 

leaving triangular plots of varying 

size- for fountain, shrubbery <>r 

flowers. This is under the care <>!' 

the Village Park Association, which 

has done much to arouse interest 

in this fine old street, and to develop 

its infinite possibilities as a public 

park Although this organization 

lias been in existence only about 

three years, surprising results have 

already crowned its efforts. Unshorn 

grass has been succeeded by velvety 

turf, and gay flowers now bloom 

where unsightly weeds held undis 

puted possession of the -round, 

giving effective masses of color on the rolling hillside and in the openings among the trees. Nothing 

tks more eloquently of the general law abiding character of the residents, than the fact that it is a rare 

eption when a dower is plucked or disturbed, though wholly unprotected by any enclosure and 

iving, in some instances, eh.se to the beaten track of travel, over which hundreds of men. women and 

children, in every walk of life, pass 

daily. 

All the improvements contem- 
may not be completed this 
m, but within two years at the 
farthest, the main features at 1( 
will become realities, for with the 
interest of the people so thoroughly 
aroi: it now is, nothing can 

id work, and when it is 
finished it will he the finest combi- 
nation of jurk and esplat ■ be 
found in any village in the Empire 

tual joy to all h>\ 
of the beautiful who view it. and an 

itude and hoii- 
le to the entire community. 

|y park 
lightful dri 
.ml through the 
ming walks through 











HAMILTI IN AVENUE. 



the woods and by the lakes; superb views of wide extent over a most picturesque country, every charm of 
rural life. 

To do justice to White Plains in a space so limited is impossible. This, speaking in language 
appropriate to the subject, must necessarily be only the frame work around which a most substantial 
house might be built. 

The development of White Plains real estate has been remarkable in many respects. There are men 
living here to-day, who well remember the time when White Plains consisted of a few buildings grouped 
chiefly around the lower or southern end of Broadway. Today there are approximately 2.200 buildings 
within the corporate limits, and a great tract of about five square miles is thickly settled by White 
Plains citizens. Building operations are steadily increasing in number and importance. It is estimated 
that last year, in the neighborhood of 175 houses were built: and despite the comparatively great cost 
of building at this time, many new buildings are in course of construction. In character, these houses 
range from the modest cottage to the mansion of the millionaire. Another development in the building line 
is the construction of office buildings A fire-proof brick office building was a comparatively recent addition 
to the architecture of the village, and two other brick office buildings, one of which is five stories in height, 
have just been completed; while still another will soon be under way. 

An interesting feature of this rapid progress in building has been the opening and development of 
new sections. Almost in a night, it has seemed, tracts of more or less unkempt land have been 
opened and developed, and turned into park-like regions with macadam roads, stone side-walks, green 

7 




i ' pi l;v STREET. 



lawns and pretty homes. And yet, 

in the face- of all this development, 
real estate men agree that they 
are unable to meet the demand for 
houses to rent on the part of strang- 
ers who wish to locate here. Between 
1890 and 1900, the population of 
White Plains has nearly doubled. 
In respect to the percentage of in- 
crease of population during this 
period. White Plains probably leads 
the cities and villages of the State 
of New York. This fact has caused 
much comment and no little sur- 
prise. And with this great increase 
in population has come as a natural 
sequence, a great increase in real 
estate values. In quick succession, 
section after section of new territory 
has been opened, developed and im- 




RESIDli.VCE OK J. T. LOCKWOOD. 



<1. Yet, in spite of the fact 
that all of this additional land has 
been made available for homes, the 
advance in values generally has been 
idy. In many sections 
<>t" the village, lots command two or 
three times what they might have 
been purchased for a few years 

e land, for instance, that three 
years ago was used as a cow pasture 
and was purchasable for a few hun- 
dred dollars an acre, now sells al 
01 more a front foot with a 
depth of «mly 125 feet The home 
suker may still, however, find hun- 
dreds of desirable lots that can be 
secured at such a low price as to be 
easily within the reach of the man 
of modest income. As indicative ol 
the advance and development of 




IKH'Kl M.I.I. i:ksH'K.\> i: OF N i' REYNAL 




IO 




MAMARI INECK AVENUE 



White Plains real estate, it is worth 
while to compare the corporate as- 
sessments of different periods. In 
the year 1891, the total assessed 
value of real estate in the village 
was $1,261,178.00, with a personal 
assessment of $78,700.00. Five years 
later, in 1896, the assessment of real 
estate was 52,142.495.00, and the 
assessment of personalty, $98,500.00. 
At the expiration of another five 
year period, in [901, we find our 
real estate assessed at $6,76 1,065 °°j 
and our personalty at $1,064.99800, 
or a grand total of over $7,800,- 
00000. It is interesting to note 
that in the twenty years from 1871 
to 1891, there was an advance of 
only about ^300,000.00 in the as- 
sessed value of real estate, to wit: 




RIDGE I.AWX. RESIDENCE OF MRS. M. B MOEHR1NG. 
I I 




Illl.l. CUEST RESIDENCE OF TRENOR PARK 



from approximately one million to 
one million three hundred thousand, 
and that most of tins wonderful 
advance noted above has taken place 
in the last five years. ( )f course, in 
Comparing real estate assessments 
of different years, the fact that 
assessors have frequently adopted a 
different standard or percentage of 
valuation must be considered, but 
these figures will convey a fair idea 
of the remarkable advance. 

Some of our friends along the 

river and elsewhere, who have noted 
our progress, while their own homi - 
have perhaps stood still, or taken a 
few steps backwards, find it hard to 

understand this prosperity and ask 

the why and wherefore. The reasons 
are many, and a few will he men- 





MMj3m 



i .• 







GEDNEY FARM 



RESIDENCE OF ll"\VAl;l' WII.UTS 



tioncd. Sonic we may credit to 
nature and some to men. No one 
of these reasons is probably entitled 
to be designated ''the" reason, but 
each lias had potent influence and 
they have united to make White 
Plains one of the most desirable 
places of residence within the limits 
of civilization — a broad statement to 
be sure, but one, the truth of which 
may be demonstrated. 

The village of White Plains is 
truly remarkable for its healthful 
location. In fact, there is no place 
within the same distance of New- 
York that can compare with it in 
this respect. A:; far as malaria is 
concerned, while this dreaded poison 
is found more or less in most places 
up to a certain degree of latitude, it 




OPH1E FARM RESIDENCE OF VTOITELAV? B 



r 3 




FOUNTAIN Sq ENTRAL AVENL'E 



can be stated truthfully, that for 
many years the village has been 
entirely free from it. 

The town suffers less from epi- 
demics than any of the surrounding 
villages, and when any of them do 
appear they seem never to attain to 
any great magnitude, nor do they 
become very violent. 
As to ibility, the vill 

midway between the Hud- 

md Long Island Sound, 

;i miles from each, and is 

com i lectric 

wit!; n of tin.- county. 

A trolley arm extends from White 

•i- t" ", i n. anothi • ■ 

to Man, 
I [arrison, 
k !' • Chester, the 







Connecticut shore, Larchmont. New 
Roclielle and the City of New York. 
Still another arm extends to Scars- 
dale, and this will soon reach Mount 
Vernon and connect there with a 
line to Voukers And it is probable 
that soon another trolley arm will be 
under construction to the north. 
( hie of the reasons why White Plains 
citi/ens arc sanguine of the future. 
lies in the fact that the village is 
destined to Ik- the centre ot a great 
electric surface railway system, bind- 
ing together all parts of the county 
and bringing them into close touch 
with the vast territory beyond the 
Westchester boundaries. Those hav- 
ing business in New York City 
comprise a large percentage of the 
population of the village. The regu- 




RESIDENCE OF II C HENDERSi IN 




GREENRIDGE AVENUE 

'5 



j ar trip fare is fifty cents ; t Ik- round tri] 5 ninety cents ; the round trip by the so-called family 

ticfo en cents, and by the monthly ticket only about twenty cents or about $6.35 •' month. 

Natural opportunity for expansion is another reason tor White Plains" past, present and future growth. 
-r] R . m .1: point in n<> direction in which White Plains cannot spread. No river, sound, 

..r insurmountable lulls cut her off <»n any side. < ra the contrary she is wholly surrounded by tracts of land 
which are suitable and le for residential purposes. 

A- the county seat <>t" one "i" the most popi ind wealthy counties in the State of New York, White 

peculiar importance. Here are the offices of the Register, County Clerk. County Treasurer. 

Sheriff, and >>ther county officers. Here -it the Supreme, Surrogate and County Courts, and the various trial 

terms during the year, bring to White Plains a multitude of lawyers, litigants, witnesses and jurors. The 

tlso have here their sessions 

In its nearness to New York City, lies one of the chief reasons for the advance of local real estate. So 

Xew York City grows, White Plains must grow. The suburban district contigu< ns to New York 

City is vast and varied, but no other section of it offer- so in any advantages for a place of residence as White 

as. New York City Hall can now be readied more quickly from White Plains, than from many sections 

mgll of Manhattan it-elf. While those who are able to judge from experience, will commonly 

concede that the shopping and theatrical district- of the Borough of Manhattan can In reached no1 only with 

iter comfort, hut with gi speed from White Plains than from most sections of the Borough of 

oklyn. The new rapid transit system now under construction in New York City, will he .1 great and 

particular blessing to the suburban district north of the city, and our village will come in for its full measure 

mean- of it. the trip from White Plains to City Hall in the Borough of Manhattan, can 

probably be made in less than fifty minutes with the improvements contemplated and fully explained on 

general improvements, there have been many. A few year- ago a common expression 
5: • - The one thing that White Plain- needs is good roads." She has them now. During the past seven 
twelve miles of the village 
streets have been paved with brick, 
<»r macadamized. Railroad Avenue, 
the chief business street and several 
other st n 1 aved ov< 

part or the whole of their length 
with hrick, while nearly all other im- 
int street- have been macadam- 
and equipped with hrick paved 
gutt iture of municipal 

improvement alone, the village has 

and the work 
along this line within the vill 

tented by tin- State 
•k and similar work on the 
urrotu 11- < >i:t 

ait- and within a 
the vill 
of Whil 

it a 




CHAI '■ 'MI 1 \S.-I' IN 






cost of approximately * 160,00000, 
and the County is rapidly being 
covered with a net work ol macad- 
amized roads centering at White 

1'lanis 

Another improvement worth no- 
ticing is the village water system, 
which is now the- property of the 
municipals v 

A storage reservoir with a capac- 
ity nf one hundred million gallons 
Ins been recently constructed at a 
cost nfs ji 1,000.00, while the expense 
of acquiring the land needed for a 
water-shed was about s'io.000.00. 
This has been a large, but at the 
same time a wise and necessary 
expenditure, and White Plains now 
lias a well nigh unsurpassed water 
supply and system. The village 



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CHI 1:1 'I I OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST 




ST. JOHNS ACADK.MY I'AIH IC1IIAL SCHOOL PAKISH 




GROUNDS OF II A SCHERMERHORN 



water is clean and clear, most agree- 
able to the taste, and lias been proved 
by expert examination to be pure 
and wholesome. Further there are 
no corporate profits to be realized, 
and water is supplied to the con- 
sumer at an unusually low rate. 

Another noteworthy tact in con- 
nection with our water system is 
the high pressure, which proves so 
advantageous in case of fire. 

Under direct pumping, the pres- 
sure at hydrant, usually about S6 
pounds, can be increased to 140 
pounds, and made to equal the 
capacity of a first-class steam fire 
engine. This, in addition to a first- 
class fire alarm system, brings us to 
the mention of the very efficient 
volunteer fire department of White 
Plains. Many times, what threatened to be a disastrous conflagration has been extinguished with little 
damage, solely by reason of the prompt, courageous and intelligent manner in which the local firemeu have 
responded They are a well-trained, well-disciplined and well-equipped bodv of men. Considering the size of 
the village, the loss by fire has been very small, and the rate of insurance, a point of interest to all owners of 

improved property, is nearly or quite 
the ''rock bottom'' figure of insur- 
ance companies. 

In her sewerage and drainage 
systems the village is also fortunate. 
The sewer system has been extended 
to every part of the village and con- 
nection with it is made compulsory. 
The natural drainage of the village 
is excellent and it is supplemented 
bv a good system of drains. 

Another recent improvement 
came in the establishment of the 
free mail delivery, which has been 
extended even to the rural districts. 
Along every possible line of 
progress in the field of real estate. 
White Plains is advancing. Build- 
ings which have been recently 
erected, or are in course of con- 
struction, are not onlv notable in 




RESIDENCE I >K WILLIAM K BROWN 



'9 




■I \> c -Hi i.mw ia.1. 



number, l>ut in the improved order 
of architecture and the high< i 
for the artistic, that is now shown. 
Ami the owners of old as well as 
new buildings, speaking generally, 
are displaying a greater pride in 
their maintenance than was once the 
rule. Civic pride is wide awake. 

Great as the development of 
White Plains in recent years has 
been, a greater advance ma\ confi- 
dently be expected within the next 
few years. The conditions at no 
time in the history of the village 
were more favorable for rapid prog- 
than they are today. 
The many attractions which 
exalt White Plains are perceptible 
to even any casual visitor. Nature 
has done her part in giving to this 
charms which elicit praise from every prospector. Those who came here to reside, 
ept compelled by adverse circumstances. The reason of this is that our air, water 
and -cue: unsurpassed in all the elements and characterists of a healthful, picturesque and well- 

ntry homi Our elevation above tidewater is about 270 feet. With the ocean within only a feu 
miles on the east and the hills and mountains of New York New Jersey and Pennsylvania on the v 
Th< re known to give that atmospheric perfection which begets robust health. 

ering tl amount necessarily expended in securiug the many improvements noted in this 

article and many not mentioned, the tax rate is not high, but is what must be expected in a modern, up-to-date 
village, the citizens of which are unwilling to submit to the discomforts and danger of the disagreeable and 
unsanitary conditions that prevail in many villages of equal wealth and population. The rate of taxation. 

gainst property within the corporate limits, is less than two per cent. 
\ marked peculiarity of White Plains is the absence of any factories. There are no factories here, 
other than two planing mills, the output of which is used principally in local building operations. White 
:|S is therel residential place and is free from the noise and sm< ke that detract so materially 

ory town-. 
the Christian denominations are represented, and have large and flourishing congregations, 
illation within village, ten thousand. 

tils anion- our merchants \',, town in Westchester County can boast 
• mark< 




i -II ESTER A\ ENUE. 



Our Railroad Facilities 

What might possibly be considered the eighth wonder of the world is the fact that the village of 
White Plains, served by but one transportation company, which is absolutely free from competition, has 
a train service which is pronounced satisfactory by those who have occasion to patronize it. The Xew York 
Central and Hudson River Railroad, without the incentive of competition on the part of rival lines, and not 
hampered by the prevailing competitive methods 
of trolley lines, gives a suburban service between 
Xew York and White Plains, which is equalled by 
but one instance in the United States. The pres- 
ent service is the result of a steady and satis- 
factory growth from year to year, until at the 
present time about as many trains are run during 
the rush hours of the day, as the present track 
accommodations will take care of. It is gratifying 
to note, also, that for years the service given 
has actually exceeded the bare necessities of the 
business to be taken care of. and that instead of 
being a little behind the times with its service, the 
railroad company has led the procession, and is 
now reaping the resulting benefits. 




RESIDENCE I IF R Y' >UNG. 



21 







From 5 a.m. until i - 1 midnight, a day of 19 
hours, White- Plains has 19 trains to New York, 
which averages about one train every 25 minutes 
Of these, 27 are local trains, leaving on the hour 
through the day, with an adequate number of 
additional southbound trains in the rush hours; 14 
are local express trains, and 8 arc through express 
trains, well distributed through the daw making no 
stops between White Plains and New York. 

From 7 a ni. until 2.40 a.m., a day of 19 hours 
d 40 minutes, there arrive at White Plains from 
New York. 47 trains, which averages about the 
same as the southbound service Of these. 27 are 
local trains. 13 local expresses, and 7 through ex- 
pres 

From i) to 9 a m. there is a train every is 
minutes to New York. From 4 to 7 p.m. there is a train every 15 minutes from New York to White Plains. 

It is a well-known fact that trains running Ion- distances are more liable t<> delays from various car, 
than those running short disl The Harlem Division of the New York Central, running through 

White Plains, is purely a local line, running no long and heavy through trains and as a consequence, the 
.1 service is not distnrbed through such through trains being off their schedules and interfering with 
the time for local trains as is frequently the case on almost every other railroad running out from New 
;.. The i" if trains making schedule time is very high, and compares most favorably with any 

other service out of the metropolis. 

An\ statement regarding the train service of White Plains, must take into consideration the fact 
that it is on one of the three roads which alone actually run into any part of the City of New York. The 
Ison and Harlem Divisions of the New York Central, and the New York. New Haven and Hartford 
l.are the only lines actually running trains into the metropolis, making stops at Motl Haven, 125th 
ind 42nd Street. All other suburban service from New York begins and ends on a foreign shore, and 
must gain ss to the city proper by ferry, at 

the present time. The physical conditions of the 
New York are such that this is a wonder- 
ful advantage, and one which should he given 
ration by those contemplating subur- 

deal has hecu said 
• ut the tunnel through which these lines 

in New York City, 

and it musl tted that any tunnel is and 

musl .'.hat of an inconvenience; hut any 

who has had any Q( e with the 

1 by weather conditions 

in 1 and the inevitabli 111- 

■ lii train to ferry, and vice 

in 
which, while it may he unco,,.- RE8IDEN , ,: of h a bchermerh 








Ri:SU ' II l> SELLECK 



fortable a small percentage of the 
time, and the cause of slight deten- 
tions occasionally, is never blocked 
l>v ice or fog, and through which 
one can ride to the end of his jour- 
ney without transfer and the con- 
uent loss of time, and the discom- 
fort of a pushing and elbowing 
crowd In this connection, some- 
thing should he- said of the plans 
which the New York Central and 
Hudson River Railroad arc push- 
to completion, which will elimi- 
nate all of the present slight dis- 
comforts of the tunnel in its suburban 
service. Such plans, which were 
some time since made public, in- 
clude the construction of a subway 
loop, leading from about 56th Street 
(the mouth of the present tunnel 1 to 
a new and well planned suburban station on the block embraced within Vanderbilt and Madison Avenues 
and (3d and .}|th Street-, such subway to be so constructed as to exclude all smoke and gas, all local trains 
■ handled between Motl Haven Junction and the terminal station by electricity. This will be a great im- 
provement, and it will practically eliminate all the present objections to the tunnel entrance to the heart 
of the citv. This work has already been started, and will be completed as rapidly as possible. 

In a word, in addition to all its 
other charms as a suburban home 
center, the village of White Plains 
that most indispensable feature 
uburban life, a first-class train 
and in this respect it is ex- 
other village in the out- 
lying distri nter of the 
uni- mmonly called New York. 

led by a com- 

which has kept abreast of and 

: the times, and it is 

only fair I time that as the 

villa its train 

will in hand with the 

in that direction. If the 

■th the village and 

ny indication. 

■ ■ ■ 

UN M. DXGNET. 








FISHER AVENUE, Si H'TII 




FISHER AVENUE, NORTH. 



2 5 




Our Public Schools 



■ HA - I!' " >L 



HP 1 1 E public school system of a 
town is a sure index to the 
character of the people The ma- 
terial development, the intellectual 
life, the social standards, the moral 

cepts of a community are ;ill de- 
pendent on, and all spring from the 
schools and tin.- churches. The 
public schools should produce, or at 
least endeavor t « > produce, self-reliant, 
self-controlling, and self-respecting 
nun and women. 

Education means in a broad si 
power t<> grasp and to solve the great 
problems of life; it means getting 
hold upon the great thoughts of the 

past and the present ; it means ci UV 
ing in contact with the great minds of the past and the present; it means a broad and clear conception of 
nature and of natui ' ';; it means power of concentration and application; it means adaptation to environ- 
ments; it means power not only to do good, to encourage great activitj on the part ol those about us, it 
means in short the development of the perfect man or the perfect woman. 

A review of our public schools shows that the administration is along these lines, and the citizens are in 
thorough sympathy with all that is 
highest and best 

< Mir public schools are good 
enough for children from the most 
cultured homes, and they are so free 
from try that all may conscien- 

tiously enjoy their benefits. The 
mpi d of forty 
men and women all graduates from 
either coll. normal school, 

'. « ith great care 
Tin .11 and Suj 

intendent i such 

■nly th( 
mimon 
Ith. reli. is and an 

■it such 
I that teaching is the 
■ 




IIUOI. 







I 1 1 ■ : I ( SCHOOL. 



The total enrollment is about 
1,300. There are three well organ- 
ized grammar schools, and a thor- 
oughly equipped high school. 

Over 100 pupils from adjoining 
towns are registered in our schools, 
and the monthly income from these 
pupils is about N400. 

Text books, stationery, and ma- 
terial are furnished children without 

Cost. 

Sanitary and health conditions 
receive very careful consideration. 

Children are not allowed to sit 
in school with wet feet or with 
rubbers on, and if the face or hands 
need washing or the hair needs comb- 
ing, the teachers feel that these are 
matters of prime importance. The 
temperature, light and ventilation 
are watched with care, deaf children 




FISHER AVENUE SCHOOL. 



27 




i:i:sii 'i:.\< i: of H 



ITKWART 



are ; :i front ud children 

who! teed 

where the} e to the best ad- 

vantage. Examinations made under 
the direction of the su] of 

physical culture have disclosed many 

- of in vision, i in peri 

hearing, and curvature of the spine. 
All such ca ted t" the 

nts, ami man} ported 

have 1' I by speci ili-t- 

The fully adjusted to 

the the child, ami in every 

ible way we endeavor to sur- 
round the pupils with proper phj*si- 
:onditions. 

All his diseases 

are promptly reported to the sup 
intendent of j the Board of 

th. Immediately all children 
win) could by an) ility he affected, l>v the cases so reported, are excluded from the school and ma 

readmit '• from the health officer. If a child should he taken suddenly ill in school, 

with a contagious disease, a physician employed l>v the Hoard of Education examines every; child in the room, 
ami "in to lie thoroughly fumigated,. to remove all possibility of further contagion. Teachers 

lltly on -uard. and suspicious cases are often excluded without the order of a physician. 
The truant prevents the spread of disease by reporting to the superintendent eases not attended by 

a physician. 

We believe most thoroughly that education is for all rather than for a favored few, yet the establishment 
of institutions for higher education has been a wonderful inspiration to the common schools. Colleges de- 
mand '«' 1 students, and as a result, college authorities and instructors turn their attention 
rd the common ■ >ls and lend their influent i to the upbuilding and betterment of secondary instruction. 
Any town which maintains high school is pretty sure to have satisfactory elementary schools for 
\s tli' md helps to secure secondary schools, .so the high school holds 
the element n to a strict accountability in instruction and discipline. Further than this, just as the 

a inspiration to a high school student, so pupils in the elementary school will 

. will have more interest in school and will he more apt to continue at their hooks if the 

is before them. 

Tii ol the most important and interesting departments of our high school, and 

tin omplete < mr students in physics, chemistry and botany are now able to 

the instructor; theory has been supplanted by practice, and the 
form experiments, to analyze and to know for themselves ; arbitrary 
instruction, and the element of interest has eliminated inattention. 

ind more popular among our students, and in every possible 

his not only among our high school students, hut in the uppei grades. 



Football engages the attention 
of our boys during the Fall months, 

while l);iselrill and field sports are 
reserved fur the Spring. All these 
games, aside from their value in 
physical training, increase interest 
and pride in our schools. There is 
a greater spirit of loyalty and a 
more determined effort to succeed 
when the element of competition is 
introduced. 

Courtesy, c insideration for the 
rights of others, self-control, perse- 
verance, fairness and courage, are 
-nine ot tnany attributes cultivated 
in the pursuit of athletics. 

Our town is centrally located 
and easily accessible by trolley, by 
train or by carriage. We oiler in 
our high school, 'preparation for 




RESIDENCE OF B. F. 1 1 A VII. A.N O 




GRAND STREET. 
^9 







JOHN 1 



RESIDENCE OF E >: SUTHERLAND 





f r - :^ **&&:~£ l *?r. ^ 









K I i ' I 1 I ■ \' K 








RESIDENCE OF ('HAS DEUTERMAN 



RESIDENCE I IF II E SCHMID M. I> 





RESIDENCE OF REV. DR I \Y T BOOTHE 



RESIDENCE OF IK IWAR] i B.P ISTER 





RESIDENCE OF BENON1 PLATT 



i 1 WEBSTER. 




riiri;>'ll STREET 







business, for c >llege or for technical 
schools. \- a result, a large number 

tudents are al I from sur- 

rounding towns; attention is thus 
centered on our community, bus- 
iness interests are advanced, people 
settle in our midst for educational 
purposes, and there is a high moral 
and intellectual atmosphere directly 
traceable to our high school. 

()ur graduation exercises call to 
town men of national reputation 
commencement speakers. Since we 
have held regular commencement 
rcises we have had as speakers: 
Hon. Charles R. Skinner, Superin- 
lent of Public Instruction ; I I"i . 
I> !•'. Ainsworth, Deputy Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction ; 
Charles F. Wheelock, Head Inspector 








BARKER TERRACE 



RESIDENCE I >F 'HAS V M 



of the Regents of the University; I. II. Stout, Supervisor of Training Classes, and Dr. A. C. McLachlan, 
Principal of the Jamaica Normal School. Men of this character add dignity to our educational interests, 
and increase the respect of cur people for the schools. An excellent public library stands on the same 
ground with the high school building, and it is easily accessible for all the students from the various schools. 

The Board of Education have 
established a night school, which is 
in session during the early months 
of the year. 

Altogether, the educational in- 
terests of our town are very carefully 
c mserved, very ably sustained and 
the citizens are unanimous and en- 
thusiastic in their support. 





LEXINGTI (N AVENUE. 



33 



White Plains, the Birthplace of the State of New York. 




V far the most interesting and important event in the Revolutionary history of White Plains, was 
the assembling of the Provincial Congress of the Colon) of New York at the Court House, on the 
wth day of July, 1776, pursuant t<> an adjournment from New York City 

The Congress was organized by the election of General Nathaniel Woodhull as President, 
who, within a few short weeks thereafter, w a-* destined to lose his life by reason of wound received 
at the hands of the British 01 [sland 

The following Deputies were present from Westchester County, \i/: Colonel Lewis 

Graham, Colonel Pierre Van Cortlandt, Major Ebenezer Lock wood, William Paulding, Captain 

than Piatt, Samuel Haviland, Zebediah Mills, Colonel Gilbert Drake, Jonathan G Tompkins, Genera] 

- Morris, and Governeur Morris. 

The Congress remained in session at White Plains until July 27th, when it adjourned to meet at 

i I rlem 1 n July 29th. 

The following letter dated July 6th, 17;". was received from the Delegates to the Continental Co 
then in session at Philadelphia, viz: 

Philadelphia, July 6th, 1 ; 
\ ri.i-Mi \ :"— 

'Although it is not possible to foresee the consequences of human actions, yet it is nevertheless a 

<lutv we owe ourselves and posterity in all our public councils to decide in the 1 est manner we are able, and to 

trust the event to that Being who controls both causes and events, s 1 as to bring about his own determination, 

Impressed with this sentiment, and at the same time fully convinced that our affairs may take a more 

■ irn, the Congress have judged it necessary to dissolve all connection between Great Britain and 

the American Colonies, and to declare them free and Independent states, as you will perceive by the enclosed 

tion, which I am directed to transmit to you; and to request you will have it proclaimed in your 

I ny, in the way you shall think most proper. 

The important consequences to the American States from tins Declaration of Independence, consid 
und and foundation oi a future- government, will naturally suggest the propriety oi havin 
•claimed in such a manner, as that the people may be universally informed of it." 

•' I have the honour to be, gentlemen. 

Your most obedient and very humble servant," 

"J< >HN II \.NC< >CK, President? 
■ Honourable Convention of New York.' 



Tin- following proceedings were had by the Congress: 
: letter and Declaration be referred 
•i Mr. Jay. Mr Yat< 3, Mr. Hobart Mr. 
W'm. Smith.'' 
Tli • tinted to take into consideration the 

in Continental * ss, and the 

How ing, which was 

in the words following, that is to 




LAFA1 





RESIDENCE OF W R McGRATH RESIDENCE OF W F. F1ERO 

Grounds upon which Declaration of Independence was adopted in New York State. 

"In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York 

White Plains. July 9, 1 --;<> 
" Resolved unanimously, That the reasons assigned by the Continental Congress for declaring the 
United Colonies free and independent States are cogent and conclusive; and that while we lament the cruel 

necessity which has rendered that measure unavoidable, we approve the same, and will, at the risk of our lives 
and fortunes, j oin with the other Colonies in supporting it." 

" Resolved, That a copj^ of the said Declaration and the aforegoing resolution be sent to the Chairman 
of the Committee of the County of Westchester, with orders to publish the same with heat of drum, at this 
place on Thursday next, and to give directions that it be published with all convenient speed in the several 
districts within the said county; and that copies thereof be forthwith transmitted to the other county com- 
mittees within the State of New York, with order to cause the same to be published in the several districts of 
their respective Counties. " 




1 'III 




THE SEC( IN] ' >'< IURT II' (USE 
Site of I'n -1 1 '"urt House. 




THE FALCONEER RESIDENCE 
[uartera of Bril 



35 




KK8II >KNC'K 



\ MiiWAIM 



' R 

pendence, with 
the I I mentioned resolutions 

this ( 

claiming the same, be published in 
handbills and sent to all the county 
committees in this - 

"Resolved That the Delegates 
of tli S C utineutal Congi 

Ik- and they are hereby authorized to 
consent and such measures 

as they may deem conducive to the 
happiness and welfare i i the United 
S 

red, 'IT. of the 

be trausmitt 
he Continental Conj 
< m th f July, the 

by 
the Provincial Con iz : 

"Resolved and That the style or title of this House be changed From that of 'the Provincial 

Conj th Colony of New York 1 to that of 'the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New 

k." 

This is the first time the expression " State of New York" was officially used and the passage of this r< 
lution • marks the birth of the State and this old town of Whin- Plains enjoys the supreme dis- 

tinction of having been its birthplace. 
It is an interesting fact and 
highly suggestive of the readines 
the representatives of the people of 
this Colony to accept the action of the 
C ntinental Congress in dissolving 
all relations with the mother country, 
tint the above quoted resolutions of 
July qth. were adopted before official 
11 itice of the I >eclaration of [ndepend- 
had reached the Provincial 
Congress. 

This appears by the following 
letter from the Congress to the bodj 
sitting at Philadelphia : 

"July 1 1 th. i ~ 

" SlR : Your letter of the ' th 
July inst. enclosing a copy of the 
I • la ration of Congn laiming 

the United Colonies free and inde- 











LAKE KENSIi :i 1 



pendent States, and requesting us to proclaim and publish the- same in this Colony, has been received. ' 

"It gives US pleasure to inform you, that, having been informed of that Declaration by our Delegates, 
we have anticipated the request of the Congress by our resolutions of the 9th inst. a copy of which was 
enclosed in a letter we did ourselves the honour of writing you this morning." 

" We have the honour to be, etc. 1 ' 
By order, 
"The Honourable John Hancock."' (unsigned.) 

A fit ending of this brief account of the circumstances attending the adoption of the Declaration of 
Independence by the Colony of New York, is the following eloquent and prophetic letter from John 
Hancock to the Committee of Safety, then sitting at Fishkill, during a recess of the Provincial Congress, viz : 

Baltimore, January 51, 1777. 
( i.-ntlemeu : — 

As there is not a more distinguished event in the history of America than the Declaration of her Inde- 
pendence, nor any that, in all probability, will so much excite the attention of future ages, it is highly proper 
that the memory of that transaction, together with the causes that gave rise to it, should be preserved in the 
most careful manner that can be devised; I am therefore, commanded by Congress to transmit you the 
enclosed copy of the Act of Independence, with the list of the several members of Congress subscribed thereto, 
and to request that you will cause the same to be put upon record, that it may henceforth form a part of the 
archives of your State, and remain a lasting testimony of your approbation of that necessary and important 
measure. I have the honour t<> be, Gentlemen, 

Your most obedient and very humble servant. 



Honourable Convention of the State of Xew York. 



JOHN HANCOCK, President. 



37 



The Battle of White Plains. 



HITE PLAINS was originally settled by nun from the shore-town of Rye. By reason of its 

inland situation it bore a very inconspicuous part in the early public affairs of the American 

Colonies. Its inhabitants were intent on the tillage of the soil and the incidental milling of their 

grain and sawing of their lumber for the practical uses of their peaceful life. They were loyal to 

their sovereign and the oppressions of the British Crown were less sorely felt than in the more 

towns By the removal of the County Court House from Westchester to White Plains in 

I, the life of the hamlet grew more variegated and interesting, and came into closer touch with the 

nts of the times. The town became the gathering place for public assemblies where the political 

affairs of the colony were hotly discussed, and appeals to the spirit of liberty and independence were 

uent and earnest Here, in time, the Provincial Congress of New York held its sittings and the 

momentous questions of the day were debated. Here the Declaration of Independence was first read in the 

State of New York, and White Plains rose to a prominent place in Colonial affairs. And here was soon after 

to be enacted one of the most important events in the history of the American Revolution. The battle ol 

White Plains, as a contest of arms, takes no rank anion- the great battles of history, but its bearings on the 

future of the American nation were of the utmost importance. 

The Revolution, begun at the battle of Lexington, in April, 1775, had been up to August, [776, almost 

entirely favorable to the Colonists. The British Army, under Howe, had been forced to retire from Boston 

and take shelter in Halifax. Montgomery, though finally defeated at Quebec, had driven Carleton from Lake 

Champlain back to Montreal and then to Quebec. Clinton's naval expedition to South Carolina had been a 

tilure. 'Idle British had no foothold within the thirteen colonies. 

liament had at last begun to realize the magnitude of the task they had undertaken, had appropriated 

fol vigorous prosecution of the war, had raised a large force of skilled soldiery at home and 

hired plined Hessian troops from Germany. Their purpose was to concentrate the combined forces at 

\ ork. db union with Carleton from the north, take possession of the Hudson and SO cut oft 

on between New England and the other colonies. This large army was sent over in August, 177''. 

and landed at Staten Island. Washington had massed his troops, 1 p- <>-> strong, for the protection ol the 

entrenched on Brooklyn Heights. A few days later the British landed at 

uth of Brooklyn. The battle of I, on- Island, followed, resulting in defeat and great loss 

the Colonist-. Under cover of night and a thick fog, they retreated across the river to \\w York, and 

I troops "ii Harlem Heights. lb. we followed, taking possession of the 

indecisive skirmishes took place. General Howe", plan now. was to get in the rear ol 

::. in h( extinguishing his entire army and crushing out the rebellion at a single blow. 

number of troops at Throgg's Neck. Washington, ever alert, saw Howe's 

tachment to Neck to intercept him. This expedition was so far successful that 

it kept the British at b five days, while Washington made preparations to move his army to 

must 1 11 to Washington, there was now no alternative left him but to abandon 

nd in rmy and th< Fori Washington alone was left with a garrison, 

• th : !ii> army, Washington pressed rapidly on over King's Bridge over Valentine's 

I ol th( Bronx to White Plains, where the stores had already been concentrated 




RAMPARTS ON MOUNT MISERY 




KCSP 



-r T 



VIEW FROM MOUNT MISERY 




\VM Ml I.I \ S SANITARIUM 

11 re the army arrived on October 21st, and rested on the hilly ground, north of the village; their lines 

extending from the Bronx over Dusenbury's Hill, across Broadway and eastward to the rocky hills at 

11 rton's Pond, now St. Mary's I. -ike. There on tin- two following 'lays, they built three lines <>!" breastworks 

on the hillsides at varying elevations. General Lee from the south had arrived with two divisions and the 

number of troops was about 1; but one-half of these were sick or unfit fur duty. The remaining 

w recruits, farmers' boys, undisciplined, mostly un-uniformed, ragged, ill-fed and disheartened, 

and hundreds, their terms of enlistment having expired, were daily leaving tin- ranks and going home. With 

infinite patience, Washington inspired them and kept them at work, preparing for tin- conflict, which seemed 

■ ible. 



J 



K 






*v &»*■ 



■ ,■■ 1 





i.l.W ■ 



Meantime, Howe, abandonding 
the attempt to get in rear of Wash- 
ington's army, had withdrawn his 
forces from Throgg's Neck, and land- 
ing them at Pelham, marched through 
New Rochelle up North Streel to 
Scarsdale, where the army lay in 
camp for several days. Here Hour 
laid his plans for a final and decisive 
engagement, which would annihilate 
the rebel army, and crush the rebel- 
lion Everything being ready, on 
October 28th, Howe, with his entire 
army, numbering 15,000 disciplined 
soldiers, came up the Post Road 
from Scarsdale, driving in the Ameri- 
can pickets, and spread out his lines 
eastward over the Plains from the 
Bronx to the Mamaroneck Road. 

Washington had despatched 




GRi IVE STREET 









i"**F^ 


M 


l^r if. 








^* <. 




THE KKI'.I.KY INSTITUTE. 
41 




[ITE PLAINS 



iments with some artillery, 
omniand of General M 

to hold Chatterton Hill, 
erceiving their position, sent 
a detachment of Hessian infantry 
and grenadiers with the 2d English 
them. Crossing 
tut.- Bronx at the ford probably u 
the present Sew ig< Disposal Works, 
they 61 lill Lane, cov< 

the fire of the British cannon 
from the plateau on the east side 
of the river. Suddenly facing to the 
in a long line they rushed up 
the 1 rugged hill in the face 

ling :iml deadly fire from the 
summit, while the hulk of the hostile 
armies, Washington from the hills, 
and Howe from the Plains, watched 
the combat from afar. Laboriously, 

but with the steadiness of trained soldiers, the Royal forces stormed the hill while the Americans poured 

n a raking fire of shot, and with great bravery resisted every approach. The Americans were holding 

their position, the British lines were breaking and their nun were falling fast, and it seemed to the watching 

armies that the Americans had won the day : when suddenly, Colonel Rail, in command of two regiments ol 

Hessians, who had climbed by an 

easier ascent on the south, appeared 

over the brow of the hill from the 

west and opened a merciless CI 

hie upon the gallant and almost 

victorious defenders of the hill. 

The Americans, out-numbered and 
out-flanked, heat a hasty, though 
orderly, retreat down the hill, across 
the bridge, and up to Washington's 
camp on Dusenbury's Hill, while 
the British occupied the hill they 
had vacated. The battle had : 
short, and the British were victori- 
ous. The loss df tin Americans in 

killed and wounded was not over 

one hundred, though many strag- 
glers were taken prisoners. The 

tish loss, however, was at | 
two hundred and twenty-nine killed 
,, AII: and wounded. The latter were le 










J— 



^^ 




rf-t- 



. *■• 



A^: 






H 

v. 



( • 



1 




THE SPEEDWAY IN WINTER. 



moved to and cared for in the temporary hospital at the old Ouiinby homestead on the Tost Road, recently 
pulled down. 

Had General Howe followed up his advantage, and made a vigorous attack all along the line, as he had 
originally planned, he would probably have been successful, and the cause of American Independence have 
been irretrievably lost. But his advantage had been gained at so severe a cost that he hesitated to take my 
further risk until he had received re-inforcemeuts. Doubtless, he remembered the victory so dearly bought at 
Bunker Hill, and though he may have felt success to be within his grasp, he decided to be doubly sure oi it. 
Accordingly, the British army settled down in camp and waited for the two battalions of Hessians and the 
four regiments which Howe had ordered from New Rochelle and Xew York. Three days were thus wasted 
before re-inforcemeuts arrived. On the 31st, there was a drenching rain and the attack was postponed for 
another day. 

Meanwhile, Washington had been busy cheering and inspiring his raw and disheartened troops, by 
keeping them at work throwing up strong works in the rear on the heights ol North Castle. These hills 
were steep and inaccessible, and commanded the roads and approaches to the north. There the army would 
be securely fortified and able to withstand any attack that Howe might make Thither the stores and 
cannon were quietly removed, and on the night of the 31st the whole army vacated their camp at White 
Plains and retired to their impregnable position at North Castle. The movement was decisive. Howl- had 
been outgeneraled. When he took possession of the abandoned camp of the Americans, on the morning 
of November 1st, he realized that his plans had failed and there was no prospect ol success except by a long 
siege during the mouths of the fast approaching Winter. After several days of inactivity and irresolution, 

43 




■■■^■^M 







i I SI I \l \ \ 



EASTERN 81 \l i: 
ILDING 



H uddenly broke camp and moved his army to Dobbs Ferry and thence by the river road towards New 

It has developed in recent years, that one of the causes of Howe's sudden change of base, was the 
mt\ of capturing Fort Washington, which was still held by the Americans, owing to the treacher 

an officer of the garrison there, who had betrayed to the British commander 
a plan of the fort and its approaches, and full information concerning the 
garrison, its stores and munitions, thus making its capture possible and easy. 
On th( November, Washington held a council of war. and it was 

unanimously agreed to throw the troops into New Jersey, and on the 9th, the 
movement was made, leaving only a few thousand troops under General Lee 
until all fear of attack from Howe should he over. 1/ e remained at North 
Castle for a fortnight and then joined the rest of the army in New Jersey. 

Thus passed one of the most critical periods in the history of the 

ilutionary war. The little fight of half an hour on Chatterton Hill. 

insignificant as it was, and. like the fight at Bunker Hill, disastrous t" 

the American forces, yet was the turning point in tin- apparently victorious 

^^^_^^^_^— i 1 The uight afti 1 Howe's withdrawal, was celebrated with great hilarity by 

(the Ameri Idiers, and di : by acts of the most inexcusable vandalism 

irt of the militia from Massachusetts, who burned the Court House, 
11 tin I' rian Church, and many private dwellings and stores. Then* 

ward, during the war. the town, being in neutral territory, was harried 
alik M 1 an 1 foe, skinners an 1 • 1 that for many years, White 

and deserted village, and all enterprise and spirit had 

■nt. 







Remains of Washington's entrenchments 
are still to be seen on Dusenbury's Hill, and a 

small rampart with a mortar mounted on it — 
illustrated on cover page -has been sacredly 
preserved on Broadway, opposite the residence oi 
Win A Woodworth, Esq. The entrenchments on 
Mount Misery, west of the reservoir in North 
Castle, are also very distinctly visible. The 
headquarters of Washington during his stay here, 
was the old house now standing near the North 
White Plains Railroad station at the base of 
Mount Misery. 

The old house known as the headquarters, 
occupied by General Lafayette in 177b. is also 
standing, on Spring Street. 

The old house known as the John Falkeiieer 
house occupied by British officers in 1770, stood 
Win. K. Brown on Broadway, and was torn down several years ago. 




1 IRAWAUPUM HOTEL 



011 the lot north of and adjoining the residence of 




mut 




IB 1 





THE 1 LBERON HOTEL. RESIDENCE OF E. T. HOPKINS. 

Newspapers. — White Plains is exceptionally fortunate in its newspapers. The oldest paper in the 

County, The Eastern Stale Journal was established here in May. 1845, an ^ nas been published continuously 

since. The Westchester Xeiv.s was established in 1 S 7 1 . The Westchester County Reporter, since May. i 

and The White Plains Argus issued its first number in [896. All are enterprising and successful 

weeklies, ably edited, and well conducted; the fact of White Plains being the County seat enables the pap 

to give attention to the news of the courts and County offices, as well as the happenings of the village and 

adjacent towns. 

45 




i'K PLAINS HANK POST OFFICE 



The Home Savings Bank of 
White Plains. — Was established 
in 1893, and lias had the most 
remarkable growth of any savings 
institution in the State; its dep 
now aggregate over si.j It 

pays its depositors fur interest on 
their money about - v : o per 
annnin, and, since its business life, 
less than ten years, bas paid over 
$150,000 in interest having always 
paid at the rate of four percent per 
annum; besides doing this, it has 
earned a handsome surplus, amount- 
ing to $36,500, which is held as 
additional security for its deposits. 

The White Plains Bank.- 
ui business in 1893, with a 

capita] of $50, ». and has steadily 

increased its business, until a short 

time ago, it increased its capital t<> 

$ 100,000, realizing the necessity <>t" 

more capital to properly take care of 

ring business; it numbers among its customers, many of the best business men of the town, and will 

n become a National Bank, having been assigned the title of The First National Bank of White Plains, 

N. V.. 1>\ the Comptroller of the Currency. 

I he Central Bank. — The Central Bank of Westchester County, the oldest bank in the village, was estab- 
. and ever since has enjoyed the confidence of the community to the fullest extent, and to-day, 
if not tin.- leading bank in the County in point of standing and responsibility, is the equal ol any other. 

In the Roll of I [onor of tin- 
State Hanks of the United States for 
the year 1901, (and in order to be 
included in the roll, a hank must 
s mid undivided profits in 
• ' this hank 

n the State of New York. 
It occupies a substantial stone 

building in the center of the husin 

of the village near the Court 
\ ith all the modern conven- 

vault, 
leposil 

for ladies, and 

on in keeping with 
d institution. 
iny panics and un- 
til! times which h d in 
•,li-- dep 
■ felt distui 

if their 
■ ■ 
m unity in this 




I \NK 







RAILROAD AVENUE. 



institution, is of the very highest 
order, and each year finds its business 
improved, and its condition more 
prosperous. 

The brief description and the 
illustrations herein, are designed to 
reach those who desire homes, and 
have not yet seen White Plains, or 
heard of its many advantages as a 
desirable place of residence. 

Good elevation, pure air, and 
pure water; accessibility to his place 
of business and excellent railway 
service. Improved and shaded streets. 
Well equipped local stores and mar- 
kets. Good schools and churches. 
Good sanitary conditions and fine 
drives, make White Plains '"The" 
Ideal spot to locate a home. 

To all such. White Plains ex- 
tends a hearty welcome. In the words 
of the great actor when called before 
the curtain at the end of the play, 
"My friends what would vou more?" 




AUDITOIUTWI. 



47 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 205 880 7 • 



I 



m 



I 



row 



:8»F 



IE 



■ 



'■2a 

■or 



